January - A Month of Conferences (Photos)

Mission's Cafe at the Mission Days Conference. Unfortunately, you can't see any of the art exhibited by Discipleship Training School students. We served many foods from around the world...all unusual for the Latvijan palate.
I was asked to teach a seminar about Missions - how to get involved and what opportunities are available through YWAM. You'll have to trust that the one they are listing to and looking at, is me.
Don Richardson, author of Peace Child & Eternity in their hearts inspired us with teaching and testimony of his work in Papua New Guinea. . Solvega, daughter of YWAM Latvija's recently deceased, national director, gave a moving speach at a tribute to his life and work. He was one of the founders of YWAM Latvija, and a leader among Christians during the Soviet Era.
Our staff conference was held in Valdemarpils, Latvija. Here is the main training centre for YWAM Latvija - the cozy dining room.

January - A Month of Conferences

It was right from the Holiday Season to a month of preparation for and participating in several conferences...

10 - 12 January was Mission Days - A mission's conference sponsored by various churches and mission organisations in Latvija. Youth With A Mission created and ran a Cafe for the event with various interesting foods from around the world, and led worship, as well as taught in various seminars. I was involved with the Cafe and taught a seminar on Missions.

21 - 24 January a University of the Nations (YWAM's university) held a workshop here in Latvija. Connecting with other YWAMers throughout the Northern European Region, worshipping and praying together, and hearing about and discussing our direction as a region, was exciting. It was great to participate.

25 - 26 January was a National Staff Gathering. YWAM staff from the three locations in Latvija came together to pray, seek God about who will serve on the National Leadership Team, and be ministered to through teaching and coaching by Mariette Louw from South Africa. It was a rich time, and key for re-structuring ourselves after the sudden death of our national leader in mid-December.

With February upon us, I hope to get back into more of a routine...Latvijan lessons, time in the art studio, regular staff meetings, prayer, and worship, preparing for summer outreaches and hosting teams, etc.

Teaching in Valdemarpils, Latvija

Darkness greets me and bids me rest each day. The days continue to shorten for another few weeks until Christmas. When a dim daylight does eventually come, my view is of a pine forest and open fields, with a frozen stream running through them. Candle light brings a warm glow to the room, and a hot cup of tea takes the chill away.

I am blessed to be in such an idyllic place for this week, as I teach in the DTS here at the base. It's nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of Riga and enjoy the Latvijan countryside. The 'real' Latvija as some will say.

The teaching is on Biblical Worldview, one of my favourites to teach. How we see the world, and what we believe to be true shapes the way we live our lives, and thus shapes the world in which we live. What we think really does make a difference. I'm challenging the students, as I myself am challenged, to examine what we believe about who we are, what is our purpose here in this life, why is there poverty, etc., and determine the fruit or consequences of those beliefs. Do they line up with God's perspective and solutions? It continues our process of renewing our minds, to have the mind of Christ, to take on God's perspective. In such, we become a part of building a world around us, although fallen, that God intends - so that it 'will go well with us'. Obedience and conformity to the statutes of God's Word brings life and blessings...not only to our own lives, but moreso to the nations. Genesis 12:1-2

It's been over a month...

and since then, I've been in Australia teaching in a Discipleship Training School (DTS) in Adelaide, connecting with the friends there. It was a rich time! Being back in Australia is always refrenshing! The weather was turning warmer and the days longer.

As I write, snow is falling heavily, blanketing the ground. I'm no longer in Oz, but back in Latvija, where the days are growing colder and shorter. One hopes for snow, and it's beauty, to brighten the grey surroundings.

Winter holds a beauty of it's own...God's creation in a bit of a dormant state, in order to produce more fruit in the future. To hear the song of the black-capped chickadee sitting on the bare tree branch wakes one out of the slumber of the season, and reminds us not only to hope for the next season to come, but to live in, take in, and enjoy the current season.

Why is it we often want the winter season (whether literal or figurative) to pass by quickly and spend most of it looking ahead to 'spring'? God is challenging me to take in all He has for me in this season. There isn't a demanding schedule right now, other than teaching here in Latvija, and the specifics of the arts ministry being established here. It's more a time of re-assessing, equipping, and planning - looking to the future, but living in the present. He as been speaking of rooting myself more deeply in Him, to be prepared for what lies ahead.

When I first came back to Latvija to begin my long-term stay here, a dear friend wrote these words..."Latvija - a great place to enjoy the beauty God has made, spend time in His presence, carry out the mission He has given, to dream His dreams...a place to be inspired and creative...a place of challenge to move mountains...the right place to establish God's kingdom". In order to even begin to touch the possibility of seeing these come to pass, I have to be rooted deeply in God! It's not at all about what I can do to see these things happen, but what He can do. So, I take steps, then wait, take steps, then wait - all under His direction.